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Arden grating test scores were obtained for 100 normal subjects under standardised testing conditions. While previously published ranges of interocular conguity were corroborated, a significant increase in test scores with increasing age was noted. This effect of age has not been previously reported. Physiological considerations suggest that such age dependency might have been expected. It is suggested that ranges of normal values be established for each of several age groups.

Patients with various macular and optic nerve abnormalities underwent Snellen acuity, transient VER acuity, and Arden grating testing. Snellen acuity was the coarsest of the 3 evaluations, generally falling after Arden scores and VER acuity had already undergone significant degradation. The Arden gratings appeared to be the most sensitive of the 3 tests, equalling VER performance in optic nerve diseases and surpassing it in macular diseases. Variations in results between the different tests are generally understandable if one considers the functions tested by each and the anatomical derangements caused by the diseases in question. The Arden grating test appears to be an excellent and sensitive screening test for central visual disturbances.

Two patients with vitelliform macular lesions, normal EOG Arden ratios, and no family history of Best's vitelliform dystrophy are presented. Their findings are compared with those in 10 similar reported cases, and a common, nongenetic aetiology is suggested for all. The several names given to this identical fundus picture by different authors are examined and are seen to be inappropriate. A common, descriptive terminology for all such lesions is suggested.